• Support the lives of people living with a disability
• Working to improve accessibility and inclusion in local communities
• Based in Mount Gambier
• Fixed Term, until 30 June 2022
• 0.6 FTE position

 About Us

Mission Australia is a non-denominational Christian charity that has been helping vulnerable Australians move towards independence for more than 160 years.

Every day we support people nationwide by combatting homelessness, assisting disadvantaged families and children, addressing mental health issues, fighting substance dependencies and much more. We are generously supported by our funders, partners and tens of thousands of everyday Australians, who make the work of our tireless volunteers and staff possible.

Mission Australia is committed to keeping children and young people safe with zero tolerance of harm or abuse, and expect all our employees and volunteers to reflect this commitment. 

The NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports people with disability to participate in and contribute to improving social and economic life, as well as provide certainty that people with disability will receive the care and support they need over their lifetime. The NDIS provides several ways to assist people with disability to exercise choice, including taking reasonable risks in the pursuit of their goals and the planning and delivery of their supports. One of the ways this is done is through Local Area Coordination (LAC). For more information, please visit https://www.ndis.gov.au. 

Your Opportunity

Driven by the needs of people living with disability and local communities, the Community Engagement Facilitator (CEF) role exists to facilitate and coordinate community engagement, and build capacity projects within Limestone Coast communities and service systems.  

The Community Engagement Facilitator will be responsible for identifying, analysing and reporting on barriers to access and inclusion in local communities and support people with disability to have their voices heard, and act as key decision makers to address these barriers.

This role will require strategic relationship development and project management skills to ensure that project activities and outcomes meet the needs of the community. As part of this work the Community Engagement Facilitator will be involved in community engagement and awareness-raising activities to support education in local communities about inclusion and access and ways that everyone can contribute to this community responsibility.

This role will attract a community-focused professional, with a strong track record working in the community services, disability sector or allied health sector. You will build on existing community strengths, and work people living with disability and the local community to facilitate the strengthening of inclusion and access in local communities.

Key performance areas include:

• Working with people with disability to drive change in communities
• Building connections with the community which extend community, economic and social opportunities for people living with and experiencing disability
• Deliver key community engagement and capacity building activities and projects
• Project Planning and Project Management
• Reporting on project outcomes

Requirements for Success

For consideration in the role of Community Engagement Coordinator, you will possess:

• 2 – 5 years experience in the community services sector, e.g. disability, child services, allied health, social work, community development etc
• Highly developed communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Local knowledge of the Limestone Coast area
• Demonstrated experience in service sector relationship and partnership management
• Experience in implementing Community Development approaches to engage with and mobilise communities
• Data analysis and research skills
• Experience in project management and report writing

• Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQA+ and CALD communities.

• Lived experience of disability encouraged

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people. 

Culture & Benefits  

A career with Mission Australia will offer you rewarding experiences to make a difference to the lives of Australians in need. We have an innovative and supportive culture guided by our values of compassion, integrity, respect, perseverance and celebration.

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including:

• NFP salary packaging benefits reducing taxable income (details via Advantage)
• Generous discounts with hotels, travel insurance and major retailers
• Free, confidential counselling services via our EAP
• Discounted health care with Medibank Private

Diversity & Inclusion

Mission Australia is an inclusive employer. We celebrate our diversity and strive to reflect contemporary Australian society and all the communities in which we work, to better serve our clients. We welcome and encourage applications from women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people, People with Disability, Sexually and Gender Diverse people, people with lived experience of adversity and from people of all ages.

As such, if you require any adjustments to submit your application, we invite you to get in touch via email [email protected] using the subject line: Community Engagement Facilitator - Mount Gambier enquiry via EthicalJobs. Alternatively, phone the Hiring Manager Cathy on 0436 699 857.

Next Steps

To be considered for this opportunity, please click ‘Apply Now’ and send your cover letter and resume today.

A position description is attached.

For further information regarding working with us, visit Working for Mission Australia.

Please send through your application as soon as possible as shortlisting will commence before the closing date.